Ogletree Deakins Adds Shareholder To Firm’s New Orleans Office

NEW ORLEANS – May 30, 2012 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms, welcomes Andrew P. (Drew) Burnside as a shareholder to the firm’s New Orleans office. Burnside joins Ogletree Deakins from Coats, Rose, Yale, Ryman & Lee (Coats Rose) where he was a Director in the Labor and Employment Law Section of that firm’s New Orleans office. Burnside focuses his practice on employment law litigation, counseling, and training for management and supervisors. Burnside’s arrival continues the growth trend in the New Orleans office which recently welcomed Christopher Moore and Christine White. Including Moore and White, Burnside has previously worked alongside four of the lawyers in the Ogletree Deakins New Orleans office. Already in 2012, Ogletree Deakins has added shareholders to the firm’s Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York City, and Philadelphia offices.   

Throughout his career, Burnside has successfully represented employers in federal and state courts, as well as before federal and state administrative agencies in employment law matters. He counsels and defends employers on issues arising from a range of federal employment laws dealing with employee leave, disability, age discrimination, Title VII, employee benefits, and reductions in force. His experience under state law includes drug testing, non-competition agreements, trade secrets, handbooks, and defending claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, wrongful discharge and intentional infliction of emotional distress. In addition to his litigation experience, Burnside serves as an arbitrator with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, where he hears cases involving securities and employment disputes.

“We continue to experience rapid and strategic growth both in the New Orleans office and nationally, in response to client demand. As we add depth and talent, Ogletree Deakins will continue to demonstrate and maintain an unwavering commitment to client service,” said Mark Mallery, the office’s managing shareholder. “I know Drew exemplifies this same commitment to service, and we are pleased to welcome him to our growing New Orleans office.”

Along with his legal practice, Burnside is a chapter editor of and contributing author to The Family and Medical Leave Act treatise published by BNA. He is an active member of the American Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Section and the Louisiana Bar Association. Burnside has also earned an AV Preeminent Peer Review rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating, and a testament to the fact that his peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. Burnside earned his J.D., cum laude, from Tulane University. During law school, he was on the editorial board of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal. Earlier, he received his A.B., cum laude, from Kenyon College.

About Ogletree Deakins

Ogletree Deakins is one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. The firm has more than 600 lawyers located in 41 offices across the United States. In addition to handling labor and employment law matters, the firm has thriving practices focused on business immigration, employee benefits, and workplace safety and health law. Ogletree Deakins represents a diverse range of clients, including more than half of the Fortune 50 corporations in the United States. For more information please contact Ryan King, public relations manager, at (404) 870-1742.